Portishead Cruise, October 16-17

[ishtar]

Three boats, Alana, Chausey and Ishtar visited Portishead this weekend. Allan sailed Chausey, Vince and myself sailed Ishtar, whilst Louise and Sheila took Alana, as part of the ongoing ladies section events.

We locked out from Cardiff at 14:00.


The wind was generally in the North East. Allan set the pace, and kept more Northerly, Vince and I in the middle and Louise and Shela on the most Southerly course.

The wind was good, and the late afternoon autumnal sunshine made for great sailing.

[ishtar]

Allan locked in first at Portishead, and the rest of us shortly afterwards at 17:15.



We all tied up. Edwina met Allan, with Lilly. Tigger was so pleased to see her. A couple of beers aboard Alana as darkness fell. The Northerly wind brought cold air, and we boarded Ishtar for an excellent curry, prepared by Louise.



We wandered up the road to the pub, where we met Mark. Louise and I had sailed with him in Greece earlier in the year. A lovely evening, although we were all fairly tired at the end of it.

[ishtar]

Saturday was cold and crisp at first. Winds ENE force 2.



The girls decided to take Ishtar. Vince and I would take Alana, and Edwina would join Allan on Chausey. Tigger joined the ladies team.



Very light winds, but it warmed up considerably. Allan got Chausey off to a good start, passing Denny.

[ishtar]

Sheila and Louise quickly hunted Chausey down, depite Allan flying his cruising chute.



Vince and I tried our secret weapon. The Spinnaker that came with Ishtar when we bought her, over a year back. We didn't really know how to fly it, but managed somehow. It worked, and we got up to 9.3 knots!



The winds got even lighter, and were very variable in direction, but the sailing was fantastic. All three crews thoroughly enjoyed it as we headed down betrween the Holms before the tide turned.

[ishtar]

As we passed Flatholm, an aircraft flew by. I've never seen one flying so low, well below the level of Flatholm island.



It wasn't the only fast moving object, Louise and Sheila shot past myself and Vince.



They taunted us mercilessly on the radio, with shouts of 'Why are you anchored?' and so on. Allan, Edwina and Lilly were so far ahead, they were out of radio contact.

[ishtar]

We finally picked up speed. Vince warmed up some of Sheila's excellent mushroom soup and we enjoyed that. Spillages were kept to a minimum. For Vince and I, the emphasis was on enjoying ourselves rather than racing. Just as well.

We all reached the Outer Wrach and then entered the harbour, ready to lock in. It became cklear who was in charge of sail trimming aboard Ishtar:

[ishtar]

Before we knew what was happening, boats appeared from everywhere.



Not all, it has to be said, were patient when leaving the lock. Sheila ordered a takeaway chinese, which was delivered to the club and we all boarded Chausey for the feast.

A lovely weekend, with great company again. Thanks to Edwina and Allan, Sheila and Vince, and well done to Sheila and Louise on planning and executing their trip to perfection. If any of you aother ladies would like to join in and improve your skills away from us men, contact Sheila

[sandpiper]

Gutted we couldn't make it, looks like you had a really good time. As usual a great write up.

Especially liked your line "For Vince and I, the emphasis was on enjoying ourselves rather than racing. Just as well"!

[ishtar]

Huw, others may try and get you to believe that we were racing, but we weren't.

[gofa]

Well done Louise and Sheila

This must be a first within the last twenty years that I have known 2 girls sailing out into the Bristol Channel

My congratulations to you both

Regards

Ray

Your commodore

PS Watch out Vince, you may find yourself surplus to requirements

[Viv]

Thank you Ray. It would be nice if we could get a few more cruisers out on these little jaunts, and maybe we could get another couple of ladies only boats. Perhaps next year, if not this.

It was suggested at the sailing meeting last Wednesday that we have a "Round the Islands" (Flat Holm & Steep Holm) race on New Years Day with a couple of ladies only boats.

[Viv]

Referring back to Martin's post under First Spinnaker Sail he mentioned that while in the lock in some one had said about there being some good cod out in the channel. Well, the guys on the little boat in the centre of the above picture had a fabulous one that day. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera at the ready.

Here are some more pictures of Martin's spinnaker in action on Alana





A really nice picture of Louise with Chausey in the background.

[ishtar]

I'd like to add my congratulations to you both as well. Vince and I were very proud of both of you.

[ishtar]

Thanks for the pictures, they are lovely. I think it's only fair to put the other picture up as well, when we had not quite got the hang of it.



;D

[Viv]

Whilst we are basking in all this glory, I would just add that Louise did the Friday lock out single-handed, I just sat and watched; I don't know if you had realised that Martin.
I did a single-handed lock out a couple of weeks earlier when I was doing one of my Thursday afternoons with Carol (Blythe Spirit).

[ishtar]

No I didn't. I'm all for it though, always have been, and I really would encourage all other ladies, of whatever abilities, to get involved. I think it's an excellent thing to do.

[louiseishtar]

Just to add to Martin and Sheila comments, we really did have some lovely sailing and it was a great opportunity for the ladies to build a bit of confidence and have a try with one anothers boats. Thanks for the compliments Ray ,both the sailing and being called a girl, its nice when you are a few months off the big 40 to be called that.
I would also like to reiterate to any ladies in the club that they are all welcome when we go out, it's great fun. We did giggle when Martin called on the radio to check that we were ok, to which we replied "We are fine, we've got the autohelm on and we are down below with a glass of wine". Once Vince stopped screaming we admitted we were fibbing!

[allan]

A great weekend, with great company! Now, back to the comment of, " we were not racing"! No mention was made of the comment "It will be bad enough if the French boat beats us but the women would be a disaster". Oops, maybe I should not have mentioned that?
We all had a great time and possibly more laughs than we deserved. As usual I would like to thank everyone for a great time. I, for one, want to keep doing it through the winter. I agree a few more boats would be nice but 3 is a good start. Where to next weekend?
Allan
PS Great sailing by the ladies.

[allan]

I forgot to mention that the boat which had the large cod decided to push infront of me going out of the lock and was then stopped outside the lock when I got there. As we went passed, the older guy pointed at his crew menber and said " that prat just dropped our fish over the side and lost it!" Poetic justice?
Allan

[louiseishtar]

If I had caught a cod that big and then dropped it over the side, I would have put my diving gear on and gone in after it!
Lou

[Matt]

Thanks for keeping us posted on your adventures as usual guys & gals.

[ishtar]

Oct 18, 2009 21:48:51 GMT allan said:

A great weekend, with great company! Now, back to the comment of, " we were not racing"! No mention was made of the comment "It will be bad enough if the French boat beats us but the women would be a disaster". Oops, maybe I should not have mentioned that?
We all had a great time and possibly more laughs than we deserved. As usual I would like to thank everyone for a great time. I, for one, want to keep doing it through the winter. I agree a few more boats would be nice but 3 is a good start. Where to next weekend?
Allan
PS Great sailing by the ladies.

I will not be drawn on this racing nonsense, and anyway, it was Vince's fault we lost.

Yep, we'll be sailing all winter, too. Not sure of our plans this week yet, and I'll be trying to contact others in the club and get them involved. Watch this space.